E M A G G N I V L O THE EV MAY, 2013
Issue 7 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter
Encouraging Creative Play and Players, Part II Continued from last month’s publication You may not find a kick board near fields (a common occurrence 15 years ago) but there are walls in every community. One that has no windows that are dying to have a young player bang a tattered ball against it. Full volleys with both feet, a strong first touch, collecting air balls or bouncing balls, and dead ball serves can be practiced until it becomes second nature. Bring in another player and you can play simple games. One player drives a ball against the wall and the other player has to get the ball back to the wall in two touches, one touch or only with their weak foot. A player drives the ball against the wall and the other player has to return it with various foot surfaces called out by the server. When a player does not reach the wall during play he or she receives a point or a letter much like the game of “horse� in basketball. You could actually play these games against a wall with up to four players. If players have access to a goal why not 1 v 1 play, the same way you would play 1 v 1 in basketball. The defender checks with a pass at the top of the eighteen and play begins. With three players, you could play the soccer form of hustle. Two defenders check the ball and the attacker goes against the two defenders. If a defender wins the ball he goes on attack. You play to 15 with each time a player gets to five or ten he or she has the opportunity to take three penalty shots against one designated keeper. If the player taking the penalty shot makes three in a row he or she regains possession of the ball. Each made penalty shot also counts one point. Chipping balls against the cross bar or into a trash can from various distances improves serving flighted balls. Keepers should work on goal kicks in front of batting cages or into soccer and lacrosse goals. There is no reason why kids cannot play 1 v 1, 2 v 2 to pugs, cones or t-shirts. Looking at children today, especially those raised in the suburbs, creativity and imaginative play are at a minimum. It may be necessary to demonstrate the
activities to your players and offer them the opportunity to even make up their own games at a training session. Coaches, should feel an obligation to offer free play sessions, where the players set up their own matches or training games. The coaches provide equipment and silent supervision.
Mike Barr EPA Youth Soccer Director of Coaching
Probably the most valuable tool clubs could provide to replicate free play is to provide field space to any player interested in playing. The serious player or players will show up when given the opportunity to play against older more experienced players, even adults. This could take place on Sunday mornings or Saturday evenings to ease any conflicts with training or matches. A scheduled one to three nights each month would also work in getting players to show up to play on their own. Clubs can utilize a gym in their school district for futsal, before the school day actually begins or late in the evening during the winter months. Availability of a gym for free play could attract youth players and even adults. Play can run the same as a basketball playground; 5v5 play to five, winner stays on the court. If a team wins two in a row they sit out one game and play the winners of the game between the next two teams. Let the players make their own calls with no referees. It would be great to see players with a unique personality or intensity that makes them different from the coddled, uncreative players who look for guidance or suggestions from their coaches, even at the elite level.